Category: Social Policy and Society

Supporting employers to employ people with disabilities

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Three colleagues working together at a table in an office, including a man using a wheelchair, illustrating an inclusive workplace environment.

This blog post is based on an article published in Social Policy and Society by Rik van Berkel and Talieh Sadeghi. The labour-market participation of people with disabilities is much lower than that of the working-age population. In the European Union, this labour-market participation gap is about 25 percentage points. This gap is problematic, not… Continue reading Supporting employers to employ people with disabilities

Poverty is complex – should our policy responses be too? Moving beyond isolated policy solutions

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A couple sits with an advisor reviewing documents together, suggesting discussion of finances, housing or social support.

This blog post is based on an article published in Social Policy and Society by Heta Pöyliö. Poverty is a complex issue that requires expansive policy responses. In my recent study published in Social Policy and Society, I find that policies with different functions can work together to reduce the risk of poverty. Specifically, policy… Continue reading Poverty is complex – should our policy responses be too? Moving beyond isolated policy solutions

Raising the Participation Age: Participation Without Inclusion?

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Teacher supporting a student using a laptop in a classroom, with other learners working in the background.

This blog post is based on an article published in Social Policy and Society by Ben Collier. It has been 10 years since the final instalment of the Education and Skills Act’s Raising the Participation Age (RPA) Policy in England, introduced under the Education and Skills Act (Department for Education), which requires young people to… Continue reading Raising the Participation Age: Participation Without Inclusion?

Akademiska Hus – New Public Management Goes Rogue in Sweden

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Modern office building façade with repetitive window pattern symbolising institutional uniformity and control

This blog post is based on an article published in Social Policy and Society by Johan Nordensvärd, Matti Kaulio, Carl-Johan Sommar and Markus Ketola. Sweden’s experience demonstrates that quasi-market reforms can create systems that look competitive but are tightly controlled, reinforcing state authority and managerialism. University estates and museum properties illustrate the consequences: high rents,… Continue reading Akademiska Hus – New Public Management Goes Rogue in Sweden

Rethinking Welfare: Recognising Contributions and Reducing Stigma

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Woman with a child meeting a welfare advisor at a desk, discussing paperwork related to social assistance.

This blog post is based on an article published in Social Policy and Society by Amber Vellinga-Dings, Nardi Steverink, Başak Bilecen, and Melissa Sebrechts. “Now I’m going to be one of those lazy welfare recipients – how did this happen?” That thought ran through the mind of a single mother of three young children when… Continue reading Rethinking Welfare: Recognising Contributions and Reducing Stigma